March 2011, Vol. 66 No. 3
Features
RehabZone Garners Record Attendance
The RehabZone posted record attendance at the 2011 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exposition (UCT) held Jan. 24-27 in Houston.
For the past 10 years, the RehabZone has been a popular show-within-a-show at UCT as a generic, non-selling event dedicated to providing basic general information about water and sewer rehabilitation technologies without referencing specific brands and products.
“Drawing record attendance and rave reviews from attendees, the 2011 RehabZone experienced another successful year bringing our industry’s history and current and future technologies to those attending UCT,” said Dorcas Hermes, chairperson of the 2011 event.
The RehabZone is sponsored by NASSCO in cooperation with the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Trenchless Installation of Pipelines and Pipeline Infrastructure Systems technical committee, the Water Environment Federation’s Collection System Committee and Underground Construction magazine. It is funded by sponsoring organizations and participating companies.
For 2011, Hermes said the RehabZone committee raised more in company sponsorships than any other year, enabling the committee to upgrade the RehabZone in several areas, including new banners for technology sections, a suspended overhead sign and the purchase of new easels for the technology posters.
“The emerging technologies section made its debut this year featuring several new technologies and improvements to technologies in our industry,” she continued. “Our Live Demonstration arena was a flurry of activity, again bringing a hands-on approach to many of the trenchless rehabilitation technologies and systems in our industry. Danby Pipe loaned its large diameter mock-up of a concrete reinforced pipe which served nicely as an exit.”
Diverse data
Stations in the RehabZone included the NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) and Inspector Training Certification Program (ITCP), closed circuit television (CCTV), bypass pumping, sectional CIPP lining, joint and seal repairs, water main lining, lateral lining, grouting, root control, manhole linings and coatings and the new emerging technologies station
Noting the 2011 RehabZone was his first as executive director of NASSCO, Ted DeBoda called the educational value of the RehabZone “phenomenal.” Excellent planning by the RehabZone committee led by Dorcus Hermes produced an exceptional event, he added.
“The addition of live demonstrations last year brought the Zone up to the next level, and there were even more demonstrations this year,” DeBoda continued. “Outstanding committee coordination, expertise of the knowledgeable professionals at the static displays, and live hands-on demonstrations were highlights of the RehabZone experience. The printed Technology Guide is itself a tremendous introduction to pipeline rehabilitation.”
Hermes concluded that the continuing success of the RehabZone can only be attributed to industry support in the form of sponsorships, the technically-experienced volunteers and the level of commitment, diligence and hard work the RehabZone committee invests.
“It was an honor to experience the dedication and hard work put forth by the committee and my co-chair, Guy Leslie, to ensure the success of the RehabZone this year,” she concluded. “I am very proud not only to be part of this industry, but to work with peers who selflessly give of their time to bring this level of industry education to the masses.”
Hermes is president of WBE Dorcas, Inc. Leslie is southern area sales manager for Rapidview. DeBoda said that Hermes has agreed to serve as co-chairperson for the next RehabZone which will be at UCT in San Antonio, TX January 24-26, 2012.
NASSCO is based in Owings Mills, MD, (410) 486-3500. The association’s web site is www.nassco.org.
What RehabZone Visitors Said
As has come to be expected, visitors to the RehabZone expressed a range of high compliments after their experience.
Harry Price, NTH Consultants, Detroit, MI: “What I like about the RehabZone is that it gives a taste of all the different technologies involved in working underground. Sometimes it’s a refresher, a look at history, and I have used some of the handouts in dealing with some of the old egg-shaped sewers built in the 1870s.”
John Hohider, Heitkamp Inc. Watertown, CT, water and wastewater utility infrastructure rehab company: “I want to complement the RehabZone people for the pictures and presentations of the old and new technologies — they are really great.”
Joel Venable, Texas Water Development Board, East Texas area representative: “I enjoyed going through the RehabZone and find that it is educational and beneficial for anyone wanting to know about underground pipeline and system infrastructure rehabilitation.”
Dan Godrey, San Francisco Water Department: “This is my first time at UCT and I found the RehabZone very interesting. My father was in the wastewater business and the historical section of old sewers and wooden pipes reminded me of stories he told. Everyone was very friendly and informative and the visit gave a very good overview of the industry. There is a lot of education here.”
George Kemper, Kemper Construction, Minot, ND: “We do a lot of water main pipebursting work, and we’re now getting a lot of calls on sewer laterals, so we’re here looking at manufacturers who have products for that, and we’re considering the possibility of getting into that market.”
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